20 injured in Wisconsin after an explosion at an oil refinery, officials say
At least 20 people were reportedly injured after an explosion at an oil refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, on Thursday morning, authorities said.
A tank containing crude oil or asphalt suddenly exploded at the Husky oil refinery. Witnesses said the explosion rattled the air like a "sonic boom."
The extents of the injuries were not immediately known. Six people were transported to nearby hospitals, but no deaths have been reported, Superior Mayor Jim Paine said to TIME.
This photo provided by KQDS_FOX21 in Duluth, Minn., shows personnel outside the Husky Energy oil refinery Thursday morning, April 26, 2018, after a tank containing crude oil or asphalt exploded at the large refinery in Superior, Wis. (KQDS_FOX21 via AP)
Smoke could be seen billowing from the refinery on Thursday morning, as seen by photos posted by local news outlets.
KBJR 6 reported that there have been at least seven explosions coming from the refinery.
As of 11:31 a.m., the fire had been extinguished. All personnel and contractors had been accounted for. Douglas County reported that there was no immediate safety threat to the community.
However, Superior Police tweeted later that the blaze reignited.
On Thursday evening, authorities said that the fire had been extinguished, according to the Associated Press.
Douglas County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order. The county asked that anyone within a 1-mile radius of the refinery, 10 miles to the south and 3 miles to the east and west to evacuate.
The Four Corners Elementary School is the mustering point for all evacuees, according to Douglas County.
Superior had a mix of clouds and sunshine on Thursday. Temperatures rose from the middle 30s Thursday morning to the middle and upper 50s F during the afternoon, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Paul Walker.
Conditions will be cooler on Friday, in the middle 40s, with a passing shower.
This image from video provided by WDIO-TV in Duluth shows smoke rising from the Husky Energy oil refinery after an explosion Thursday morning, April 26, 2018 in Superior, Wis. Authorities say several people were injured in the explosion. (WDIO-TV via AP)
